Ep 9. She's Dreaming

Aggretsuko season 2 episode 9 is titled "She's Dreaming." This episode centers around Retsuko's dreams and her struggle to find a balance between work and her personal life.

The episode begins with Retsuko exhausted from overworking herself, leading her to fall asleep easily. However, her dreams are plagued with nightmares of her coworkers and boss, causing her to wake up in a panic. She confides in her friends at work, but they brush off her concerns, advising her to ignore her boss's comments and move on with her life.

Retsuko, unable to shake off her nightmares, turns to her hobby of singing death metal to cope. She visits her usual karaoke spot, but finds it closed. Instead, she stumbles upon a new karaoke bar that exclusively caters to death metal. After impressing the other patrons with her vocals, Retsuko becomes infatuated with the idea of quitting her day job to pursue her passion for music.

Inspired by her dream and newfound confidence, Retsuko decides to ask for a raise. She turns to her trusted coworker, Haida, for advice, but he is preoccupied with his own love life. Retsuko decides to go through with it anyway, but her boss rejects her request in a condescending manner. Upset and defeated, Retsuko turns to her music once again.

As the episode progresses, Retsuko finds herself in a state of confusion and inner turmoil. She wants to pursue her passion, but is held back by the fear of financial instability and societal pressures to conform. She seeks advice from her mentor, Tadano, who encourages her to find a balance between her passion and her career.

The episode ends with Retsuko performing at a death metal concert, uniting her love for music and her sense of self-worth. Through her journey of self-discovery, Retsuko learns that it is important to follow her dreams, but not at the expense of her own well-being. She finds the courage to push back against societal expectations and pursue her passion, empowered by the love and support of her friends and family.

Overall, "She's Dreaming" is an introspective and emotional episode that delves into the struggle of finding a balance between work and personal fulfillment. The episode explores themes of self-discovery, passion, and societal pressures, making it a poignant and relatable addition to Aggretsuko's second season.